Whether you buy a brand new car or a used one, either way it’s new to you. When you acquire a “new” vehicle, you have the tendency to treat it well. What are some tips for keeping your new car clean?

Start a Schedule

First, set aside an hour per week to clean it. It’s important to schedule this time in/on your calendar. Why not pick the same day of the week and time each week to do so? For instance, every Sunday night at 7pm you’ll mark on your calendar, “clean my vehicle.” If you don’t write it down somewhere, you’re probably going to forget to do it– so writing it down really helps keep you accountable. If you hate cleaning your own vehicle, make an appointment with someone who will do it for a small fee.

Priority List

Next, make a list of what you need to do; this list might include vacuuming the floors and seats, wiping all the surfaces to get the dust off, and shaking stones and debris out or off the floor mats. Every time you or someone cleans the vehicle, you can check off items on the list so you know you didn’t forget to do anything important. Keep records of what was cleaned and when so you have paperwork to prove you cared enough to clean it– and this gives you something to not only look back on, but be proud of, too.

Organization Plan

Also, do your best to organize the things in your vehicle so they make sense to be there… for instance, if it’s summer, you don’t need an ice scraper and winter gloves in there. Only keep things in the vehicle that you plan on using during the next two months. Otherwise, you’re just accumulating a whole bunch of stuff that’ll make your interior look like you’re a hoarder– and a messy, unorganized one at that. Your vehicle should not be a storage unit.

“House Rules”

Finally, if you really want to keep your vehicle clean, institute a “no food in the car” rule and make everyone follow it– no exceptions. This means you won’t be finding stray French fries in between the seats, and you won’t have any smelly fast food wrappers wrappers making the vehicle stink. As hard as this may seem to do, it could end up being the best decision you’ve made in order to keep your vehicle clean for the coming years!

The second you drive a car off a dealership lot, it decreases in value by more than 10 percent. It continues to go down in value over the course of the next year, and after 12 months, it’ll be about 20 percent less valuable than it was when you first bought or leased it. Yet, if you financed or leased the car, you’ll likely still owe a lot more than what it’s worth. That’s where GAP, or guaranteed asset protection, insurance can help. Here are 3 big benefits of GAP insurance coverage.

GAP insurance covers the big gap between what a car is worth and what you still owe on it.

When you first purchase or lease a car, there is almost always going to be a big gap between what the car is worth and what you owe on it. That gap can really come back to bite you if you’re ever involved in an accident that leaves your car totaled. Your insurance company is only going to pay what the car was worth at the time of the accident, not what you owed on it. That means you could be on the hook for several thousand dollars if you don’t have GAP insurance. GAP insurance will fill in that gap and prevent you from having to pay a fortune to replace your car.

It doesn’t cost much to purchase GAP insurance.

Many people decline GAP insurance coverage without realizing the affordability of the coverage. You can usually purchase GAP insurance coverage for less than $1,000 over the life of your car. You might even be able to find some GAP insurance coverage for just a couple hundred dollars. That small investment could pay off in a big way if you’re ever in a bad accident.

It’ll give you one less thing to worry about if your car is ever totaled.

If your car is totaled during an accident, you’re going to have so many things to worry about. From injuries to medical bills, there will be so much on your mind. Why worry about the gap between what you owe on your car and what your insurance company says it’s worth, too? GAP insurance coverage will give you a peace of mind you wouldn’t be able to enjoy otherwise.

When you purchase a car from George Kell Motors, we can tell you all about GAP insurance coverage and how it could save you. Call us at 870-495-2620 to see how easy it is to get GAP coverage with any new, used, or leased Buick, Chevrolet, or GMC vehicle.

Buying a new or used can be an exciting, yet uncertain process. Sometimes, buyers are not sure what they should inquire about after walking on a lot. To avoid the stress that comes from searching for a car, prepare yourself to ask the right questions when speaking with a car dealer. Check out a few of the questions that should be on your list below.

Do you have the car I want to buy?

Do your research to determine which type car you want to buy. Then, when you arrive at the dealership, ask them if they have it in stock. If they don’t have it in stock and they’re unable to order it for you, head to a different lot. There is no point in staying at a lot that doesn’t have the car you want. The only thing it’ll do is confuse you and having you second-guessing your original decision.

How many miles does the car have on it?

If a car dealer does have the car you want, ask them how many miles it has on it. Even if it’s a new vehicle, there’s a chance it has been used for numerous test drives. If it has more than a certain amount of miles on it, a dealer might be willing to give it to you at a discounted rate. Used cars with high mileage on them should also be priced lower.

What will the payment terms be for it?

Before you agree to purchase a car from a dealer, make sure you know exactly how much you’re going to be paying for it every month. There can be charges on the backend that can drive the cost of a car higher than you want, so know what’s in your budget and discuss it with the dealer accordingly.

Does the car come with a warranty?

Any car that you buy should come with some sort of warranty on it. Even if the warranty only lasts a month, you shouldn’t be on the hook for making repairs to a vehicle a week or two after you buy it. You should also have the option of purchasing an extended warranty. Inquire about the cost of getting one before signing on the dotted line.

Buying a car shouldn’t be a huge hassle. George Kell Motors can make the car-buying process easy and reduce the stress you feel when shopping for a vehicle. Call us at 870-495-2620 today to find out about the new and used cars we have on our lot.

The name “Chevy,” as it relates to vehicles, is pretty much a household name in the USA. Some have said Chevys are as American as apple pie.

Do you remember the classic Don McLean hit song, “American Pie?” It has the lines: “So bye-bye, Miss American Pie. Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry.” The Chevy name has made it into songs by Elton John, Eric Clapton, Bob Seger, Motley Crue, Snoop Dogg, and even Taylor Swift. Now that is impressive! It says a lot about a brand when the brand name makes it into so many pop songs over the span of several decades.

So if famous singers and rappers like Chevy, how about you? What are some good reasons to own a Chevy?

The Benefits of Buying a Chevy

First, there’s Chevy’s reputation. It has been a company making American vehicles for Americans for well over a century. That longevity proves they’re on to something good. Chevy earned its excellent reputation through hard work, making good quality vehicles that millions of Americans have loved throughout the decades.

Next, you’ve got to hand it to Chevy– they win a lot of awards. In 2013, for example, Chevy received more J.D. Power Initial Quality awards than any other automotive brand. Chevy has also done well with safety scores– beating out Ford and Toyota with more 5-Star Overall vehicle scores. Chevy utilizes safety features like “Forward Collision Alert” and “Lane Departure Warning,” along with rear vision cameras, side blind zone alerts, and advanced airbag systems. Obviously, Chevy cares about safety.

Did you know Chevy was one of the first automakers to develop an all-electric car? Meanwhile, Chevy offers a wide variety of vehicles to the public– something for everyone. If you’re looking for a full-size pickup, a SUV, a midsize sedan, a compact car, or something with muscle, Chevy’s got your needs covered.

George Kell Motors proudly sells Chevy vehicles at our location in Newport, Arkansas. Please visit us at 3808 South Van Dyke Road in Newport during normal business hours to see all the Chevys on the lot! We offer 2018 Chevy Bolt EVs, Camaros, and for truck lovers, the Colorado. We also have plenty of pre-owned models for sale. Call 870-495-2620 to talk to a salesman today.

There are more than 6 million Americans who purchase new vehicles every year. If you’re thinking about doing it soon, there are steps you should take to ensure you get the right car, truck, or SUV. Take a look at those steps below.

Figure out what kind of vehicle you want.

Do you have a growing family that could benefit from a minivan, or are you a single person who wants to splurge on the sports car you’ve always dreamed about buying? Either way, you should take the time to do your research and figure out exactly which car you want. You can go and check some cars out at dealerships or look around online to find out about the features associated with certain vehicles. It’ll make it easy to narrow down your search.

Try and get pre-approved for a loan.

Rather than waiting until you visit a dealership to get approved for a loan, you should get pre-approved so that you know exactly how much money you must spend on a vehicle. This will cut down on the amount of time you have to spend working out the terms of a loan later. It’ll also help you avoid the disappointment that comes along with applying for a loan at a dealership only to be turned down.

Track down the car you want and test drive it.

After you have your pre-approval in place, you should find a local dealership with the car you want in stock and test drive it. A car might have everything you want from it on paper, but it might not always feel comfortable to you once you’re actually behind the wheel. By taking a car for a test drive, you can make sure it’s what you want.

Negotiate the best price for the car.

Prior to agreeing to buy a car, you should see if you can negotiate a better price for it. There are many car dealers that will work with you to get the best price possible. You might also want to consider trading your current vehicle in to bring the price down or putting down a larger down payment to get more favorable loan terms. There are ways to get the price you want on a vehicle.

Are you in the market for a new car right now? George Kell Motors would love to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Call us at 870-495-2620 to inquire about any of the new cars we have on our lot.

There are two “big” purchases people generally make: their house and their car. Houses typically cost more than $100,000, while cars may range between $15,000 and $60,000 depending on what you want.

What are some tips for saving up to buy a new car?

Set a Budget

First, consider a “realistic price” that you can truly afford. Oftentimes, people want to buy a vehicle that’s out of their price range, and they end up buying something they can’t truly afford. Long story short: this doesn’t work out well in the end. Therefore, if you can be realistic about your budget and your wants/needs, then you can pick a price point that makes sense. For instance, if you’ve already saved some money toward the purchase of a new car and you’re also actively saving money right now, pick an amount to spend on the new vehicle and realize that you’ll probably need to put 20% down on a brand new one or 10% on a used one if you plan to finance your purchase over time.

Decide What is Most Important

Next, make a list of your wants versus your needs. For example, you might need “great gas mileage” (especially with rising gas prices) and you might want a “rear spoiler.” Generally, look for a vehicle that meets your needs, and if you can get some or all of the wants for the right price, consider yourself lucky. A great way to budget for the purchase is to take your monthly income and divvy it up: 50% to needs, 30% to wants and 20% to savings and/or debt repayment(s). Remember to add the cost of car insurance to your overall budget– insurance typically costs between $500 and $1,200 per year for a vehicle.

Trim at the Margins

In order to save for your big purchase, start cutting out small purchases from your daily life. Instead of paying $4 for a coffee at Starbucks, use the coffee machine provided at work and make your own. When you go through the supermarket checkout line, don’t get that $2 candy bar on a whim. If you shop online, only buy true bargains, rather than buying anything and everything you **think** you want. Have a garage sale or list items on craigslist to sell. Charge people for your services such as tutoring, babysitting, or cutting hair.

Devote a Savings Account to Your Purchase

Finally, set up a savings account devoted to the big purchase. That way the money is separate from other purposes. You might also want to set up “automatic transfers” to this account to ensure money goes into it from, say, your weekly paychecks.

Looking to buy a vehicle? George Kell Motors in Newport, Arkansas, has some great deals. Contact George Kell Motors at 870-495-2620 for more information.

Should you buy or lease a new vehicle? Well, that’ll depend on your personal circumstances. Here are some pros and cons of both options to consider.

Why buy a car, outright? Well, you’ll own it. You won’t have to “give it back.” When you own your own vehicle you can do whatever you want to it, such as put a giant sticker on the hood or paint your rims whatever color you want them to be. Generally, insurance premiums are typically lower than if you lease, so there’s that benefit. Finally, you can put as much mileage on it without having to worry about having to “pay extra if you go over” and such.

One of the drawbacks to buying a car, though, is the cost, which can be, understandably, higher than leasing the vehicle. Out of pocket expenses add up. Some people choose to pay the whole price at once, while others decide to make monthly payments to pay it off, much like a house mortgage.

With leasing, overall costs can be lower– for instance, a lease probably won’t require a down payment, won’t have an upfront sales tax charge, and may offer tax advantages if used for business purposes. Furthermore, monthly payments for a lease are usually less compared to owning it, and with leasing, you’re pretty much renting the vehicle for a set period of time. Therefore, you give it back when you’re done. The advantage here is that you don’t have to assume the full depreciation cost of the vehicle– you’re not stuck with it when it’s no longer brand new and worth “more money.” Giving it back means you can start fresh, again, with a newer model. Many people like to lease for that very reason– it’s like getting a new car every couple years for a reasonable price, a new vehicle which looks and feels nice.

Perhaps the biggest drawback to leasing is that you’re paying monthly for it but you never actually own it. It’s never truly “yours.” Furthermore, there’s typically a mileage restriction. Most are 12,000 to 15,000 miles allowed per year, and when you go over that amount, expect to pay quite a bit for that privilege. Oh, and insurance costs for leased vehicles can be kind of high.

In some cases, people may choose to purchase the car at the end of the lease period for a predetermined amount.

If there wasn’t a need for car dealers then they wouldn’t exist. But, obviously, there is a need, and it makes sense to buy a vehicle from a dealership like George Kell Motors.

What are some good advantages of buying a vehicle from a dealership?

For starters, think about “extras.” Dealers often have access to extras you can’t get from a private seller. Some of these things include aftermarket wheels, upgraded sound systems, oil changes, tire rotations, and extended warranties. With a private seller, you pay them the money and they’re gone. With a dealership, however, if you’d like to continue the relationship, you can take your vehicle there for the aforementioned extras and then some! It’s like joining a club where you’re “in” with people who can help you with your vehicle over time.

Next, consider a dealership’s reputation. Because most dealers want to be the absolute best in their market, they’re in a healthy competition. Customers benefit from this competition. Dealerships often want to go the extra mile to please purchasers, even offering assistance after the deal is done. Their reputation in the community matters– if you say good things about them to your friends and family, they get more business. If you don’t, their business will suffer.

Finally, consider the many financing options available through dealerships. With private sellers you typically have to secure your own financing, while dealers often have plans set up to help you finance your purchase. Ask your dealer about getting a loan and finding a low interest rate.

For George Kell Motors, there’s an online form you can fill out to get started with getting pre-approved for financing options– see it here.

George Kell Motors is located at 3808 South Van Dyke Road in Newport, Arkansas. Any questions? Please call 870-495-2620.

Do you have a growing family? If so, you will probably need to upgrade your current family car soon and purchase something that can hold everyone in it. That will typically leave you with two choices—an SUV or a minivan. Moreover, while SUVs have become increasingly popular in recent years due to the stigma that is sometimes attached to minivans, you should think long and hard before buying one over the other, as there are plenty of pros that come along with each. Let’s take a look at the advantages of buying SUVs and minivans.

The Case For SUVs

If you have an active family that enjoys venturing out into the world and taking bikes, kayaks, and other equipment along with you, then an SUV might be the best option. SUVs are the perfect choice for those families that enjoy an adventure and plan on towing things around with them. They are also ideal for those who live in areas that deal with inclement weather. Most SUVs are equipped with four-wheel drive and other safety features that make dealing with bad weather much easier.

The Case for Minivans

Most minivans aren’t any better in the snow than the average car. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy lots of perks with a minivan. Outside of the fact that minivans are often more affordable than SUVs and get better gas mileage than them, they also usually have more cargo space in them. Believe it or not, U.S. News & World Report has also given minivans the nod over SUVs when it comes to seat comfort and interior refinement. So even though you might not necessarily want to take a minivan on a camping trip or a ride up to the mountains, you will find it to be very comfortable for your daily commute and family outings.

The truth is that only you can decide if an SUV or minivan is better for your family. If you want to check out a bunch of them for yourself before making your decision, George Kell Motors can show you a range of new and used vehicles. Call us at 870-495-2620 today to speak with someone from our sales department.

How often do you wash your car? If you go weeks or even months in between cleanings, you could be doing a serious disservice to your vehicle. Washing your vehicle is even more important than you probably think. Check out a few reasons why you should get into the habit of cleaning your car as often as you can.

It will prevent contaminants from ruining your paint job.

Over the course of just a few days, there are all kinds of contaminants that can build up on your vehicle and do harm to it. Dirt, dust, tree sap, bugs, pollen, pollutants, salt, and more can stick to your car and cause issues with your paint. If you fail to wash your car, you may notice that your paint will get dull over time. You also could end up experiencing things like rust when you don’t maintain your vehicle and wash it. It’s why washing your car is so essential.

It will protect your vehicle from the sun and other weather elements.

The weather can wreak havoc on your vehicle. The sun’s UV rays can beat down on it and change the complexion of your paint job. Acid rain can eat away at the finish of your car and make it look aged. Snow, ice, and hail can also cause the paint to look worse for the wear. When washing your vehicle, there are products you can use to protect it from the weather and all that it brings.

It will keep your vehicle looking its best.

You spend a lot of money on your vehicle. Between buying it, insuring it, and maintaining it, you have likely invested thousands of dollars in it over the years. Washing it is the most effective way to keep it looking great. If you’re going to spend so much money on it, it’s really the least you can do to protect your investment.